5 Historic U.S. Shipping Canals That Shaped America’s Growth

Known as the "Golden Link," this canal, completed in 1828, provided a crucial route for shipping anthracite coal and lumber between Philadelphia and the Susquehanna River.

A complex network of canals built in the early 19th century, it connected Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, supporting trade in coal and lumber across the state.

Completed in 1823, this historic waterway linked the Hudson River to Lake Champlain, playing a key role in early U.S. trade and transportation to Canada.

A system of canals and locks, it allows oceangoing ships to navigate from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes, supporting over 350,000 jobs and boosting trade across North America.

Opened in 1825, this engineering marvel connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, drastically reducing shipping costs and accelerating US westward expansion.